12 Amazing New Jersey Hikes Under 3 Miles You'll Absolutely Love
New Jersey offers hundreds of incredible hiking opportunities, though some are more manageable than others. There’s nothing more relaxing than a long hike, but we don’t all have the time and energy. Shorter hikes are perfect for families, beginners, or anyone looking to take a brief but rewarding stroll through New Jersey’s natural beauty. We’ve searched through dozens of trails to bring you some of the best short hikes in the state. All of the hikes below are manageable for most, coming in at three miles or less! Come see why we think these are among the best hikes in New Jersey:
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Take one of the best hiking trails in New Jersey to the Tillman Ravine in Stokes State Forest in this video from Mommy University NJ:
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Let's continue our exploration of fun New Jersey hikes by taking the 5-mile loop trail around the Manasquan Reservoir:
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Take a virtual tour of Cape May Point State Park with this flyover video from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection:
Who says a hike has to last forever to be amazing? These short trails offer a bit of everything and they’re only just the start. For directions, additional information, and more New Jersey hiking trails, try out AllTrails+. For more of the best hikes in New Jersey, check out these epic New Jersey trails, and for a challenging hike, explore the BaToNa Trail.
What hikes in New Jersey would you call the best hikes in New Jersey? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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More to Explore
Best Hikes in New Jersey
What are the best kid-friendly hikes around New Jersey?
Some of the best kid-friendly hikes around New Jersey include:
- Cheesequake Green Trail
- Lake Surprise Loop
- Mills Reservation Trail
As it turns out, New Jersey is a tiny state with big aspirations when it comes to hiking. There are hundreds of wonderful hiking trails in New Jersey, many of which are perfectly kid-friendly and easy. Some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes around New Jersey include amazing little gems like the Cheesequake Green Trail, an easy, 3.1-mile trek around Cheesequake State Park (no, there is no cheese, we already checked). Another favorite child-friendly hiking trail in New Jersey is the 1.7-mile Lake Surprise Loop via W. R Tracy Drive, and we also adore the Mills Reservation Trail, a 2.1-mile hike through the scenic Mills Reservation County Park.
What are some wonderful scenic hikes in New Jersey?
Some wonderful scenic hikes in New Jersey include:
- Red Dot and Blue Dot Loop Trail
- Appalachian Trail
- Stairway to Heaven Trail
We’re pretty sure that every hike in New Jersey is a scenic hike in New Jersey, but we digress. There definitely are a decently sized handful of picture-perfect hiking trails in New Jersey worth mentioning, like the beautiful (but challenging) Mount Tammany: Red Dot and Blue Dot Loop Trail. It’s not overly long, at 3.6 miles in length, but it is challenging (and worth the adventure thanks to its amazing scenery). We also really love the Stairway to Heaven Trail at Wawayanda State Park, and honestly, most of the hiking trails in New Jersey state parks are scenic enough to warrant a mention.
What are the best easy hikes in New Jersey?
Some of the best easy hikes in New Jersey include:
- Blackwells, Creek, and Cedar Trail Loop
- Boardwalk Hike, Appalachian Trail
- Saddle River Trail
Some hikes are rated as easy but are on the longer side, and we think those are some of the best easy hikes in New Jersey, hands down! Amazingly, there are more than 980 trails rated as “easy” in New Jersey, and we love them all. Some of our favorite easy hikes in New Jersey that are a little longer include the Blackwells, Creek, and Cedar Trail Loop at Six Mile Run State Park. It’s 7.8 miles long, but it’s so pretty that it’s easy to lose track of time and distance along the way. Another favorite long hike in New Jersey rated as easy is the 10.4-mile Saddle River Trail at Saddle River County Park.